USA Nationals: Roland Rolls to a 48.38 to Win 100 Free

IRVINE, Calif., August 4. THE men's 100 free boasted a very fast field but Tucson Ford's Roland Schoeman was the odds-on favorite. After all, the South African was the silver medalist in this event in both Montreal and Athens.

Schoeman had a brilliant start, flying off the blocks and emerging from his dive with half a body lengths lead over the field. At the 50, he turned in 22.84, well under Jason Lezak's American record pace of 23.02. Only Neil Walker, at 23.29, managed to stay within half a second of the Springbok.

Swimming well ahead of the field, Schoeman touched in a very fast 48.38, breaking Matt Biondi's national championship meet mark of 48.42 from 1988.

Canadian Brent Hayden was second in 49.35, followed by Garrett Weber-Gale at 49.40, Neil Walker at 49.42, Benjamin Wildman-Tobriner at 49.92 and Adam Ritter in another PR, 49.95.